Remember When...

May 20, 2009

“TAKE ME Out to the Ball Game” is a popular song, especially at the seventh inning of major league baseball games throughout the country. Baseball, known as the national pastime for more than a century-and-a-half, continues to be popular on fields throughout Eastern Ohio. Hot dogs and chips rather than “peanuts and Cracker Jack” are among the popular offerings at area games. In fact, there was one game more than 40 years ago when three children were at the refreshment stand for hot dogs when their father scored a home run while playing in a summer league. This might have been duplicated elsewhere. Those youngsters might have agreed with Humphrey Bogart who once said, “A hot dog at the ball game beats roast beef at the Ritz.” Playersá uniforms and fansá fashions have changed over the years, but the enthusiasm for this great sport remains unchanged. These photos are a sampling of many area players and some managers of the past, some as early as 1926. Many of the photos were taken before the mid-1960s, and some of the individuals are now deceased. Nearly all are unidentified but they are representative of some of the leagues which played in Eastern Ohio.

Article Photos

TAKING a break for a photo session are these members of the Piney Fork team.

THE UNITED Mine Workers League involved players throughout the area including these who played in Belmont County.

HAVING a serious outlook possibly before a game begins in Maynard is this trio.